Sault Native Competes in National Art Competition
- Marie-born artist Miranda Wickett, who creatively goes by "Mimi," is making a strong impression on the Canadian art scene.
- Voting closes on Sunday, September 7th at 11:59 p.m., and every vote is crucial.
- Wickett's artistic practice is deeply rooted in body casting,breast health advocacy,and a celebration of body diversity.
Sault Ste. Marie Artist Miranda Wickett a Finalist in National Art Competition
Table of Contents
published august 21, 2025
A Hometown Push for National Recognition
sault Ste. Marie-born artist Miranda Wickett, who creatively goes by “Mimi,” is making a strong impression on the Canadian art scene. She’s a finalist in Art Comp, Canada’s largest art competition, and is hoping for strong support from her community as the public voting period nears its end.
Voting closes on Sunday, September 7th at 11:59 p.m., and every vote is crucial. Supporters can cast their vote online at the Art Comp voting platform.
Art as Advocacy: Body Positivity and Healing
Wickett’s artistic practice is deeply rooted in body casting,breast health advocacy,and a celebration of body diversity. Earlier this year, she returned to Sault Ste.Marie to showcase her exhibition, All About Love: Body. Self. Platonic. romantic. The exhibition resonated with the local community, exploring themes of self-love, body image, and the journey toward healing.
“Having shown All About Love here in February, I felt how much the Sault continues to support and inspire me,” Wickett shared. “Being a finalist in this competition is an incredible honour, and it would mean so much to have my hometown standing with me in this last push.”
From Teaching to Full-Time Art
Art Comp, now in its fourth year and organized by 100 Kellogg, provides a national platform for emerging Canadian artists. For Wickett, this recognition represents a meaningful milestone, validating a courageous career shift. She transitioned from a career in teaching and administration at Western University to pursue her passion for art full-time.
“This journey has been about risk, resilience, and creating work that helps people see their bodies with more love,” Wickett explained. ”To have Sault Ste.Marie behind me as I step forward in my emerging art career would mean the world.”
“Treat Yo Self”: A Sweet Celebration of the Body
Wickett’s finalist piece, Treat Yo Self, is a playful and joyful body cast designed to evoke a sense of delight. The sculpture is meticulously crafted with tiny polymer clay sprinkles, resin-covered candies, and swirls of joint compound sculpted to resemble whipped cream. The artwork serves as a gentle reminder that our bodies are beautiful, fun, and deserving of celebration and self-care.
With its candy-shop aesthetic, Treat Yo self encourages viewers to embrace self-compassion and remember that thay are “sweet and perfect just the way we are.”
How to Vote
Supporting Miranda Wickett is simple:
- Register with a valid email address on the Art Comp voting platform.
- Scroll through the entries to locate “Treat yo Self.”
- cast your vote.
Remember, voting closes on Sunday, September 7th at 11:59 p.m.
About Mimi
Mimi is a body casting artist and passionate breast health advocate. Her work seamlessly blends art,education,and empowerment. Drawing on her background in dance, personal experiences with body image, and her role as a mother, Wickett creates art that challenges conventional beauty standards and celebrates the diversity of the human form.